Introduction: Musical Outcomes of Jewish Migration into Asia via the Northern and Southern Routes c.1780-c.1950

Abstract:

Jewish migration into Asia is of ancient origin. However, the migrations over the two centuries since c. 1780 have been driven by distinctive historical circumstances. Those of the "southern Asian diaspora route", which coincides approximately with the ancient "spice routes" by sea and land, were largely homogeneous, voluntary and family and trade based, supported by British and Dutch colonial expansion into India, Southeast Asia and East Asia. Those of the "northern diaspora route" were heterogeneous and often involuntary, as central and eastern European refugees followed the expansion of the railway system along the old "silk road" to East Asia. While exploring the historical background to these migrations, this introductory article investigates the role of music as an expressive marker of Jewish identity in the Asian diaspora and beyond.

Keywords: Jewish-Asian; Northern and Southern Diaspora Routes; Baghdad-Jewish; Central and Eastern European Jewish; Merchants; Refugees; Music; Identity

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/17411910410001692274